By Politico staff writer
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, Justice Desmond Babatunde Edward on the 10th January 2022 urged all magistrates across the country to be static and to do their best in an efficient and effective administration of the justice sector in Sierra Leone.
In his maiden meeting with magistrates in 2022 at the Judiciary of Sierra Leone’s Conference Room in Freetown, Chief Justice Edward admonished all magistrates that their discretion is within the law; adding that they should desist from doing jobs contrary to their mandates or outside the prescribed laws.
Addressing the issues of committals, the Chief Justice said that the time between transfers of cases from the Magistrates’ Courts to the High Court is too long which amounts to unnecessary waste of time and delay in the completion of cases.
He encouraged them to be diligent in handling committals and depositions in view of the fact that their decisions are being tested by summary reviews.
The Chief Justice used the occasion to implore them to consider themselves as people trained to be judges someday, and to know the Act on sentencing in respect of specific offences, to be compliant to the directive on monthly returns; noting that cross-check and double-check bail documents and to deal with recalcitrant Court Registrars within the law.
“You should be men of honesty, integrity, and stout character in protecting the courts which will enhance the smooth administration of justice in the country,” he said.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (12/01/22)
